ATTENDANCE
Please pay for all days that you plan to attend. If you are attending any part of a day, we ask that you pay for the entire day. We also require a two-day minimum attendance for retreats of three days or more to cultivate both a sense of continuity for those participating as well as the deep stillness that is at the heart of the practice of retreat.
DANA FOR THE TEACHER
Giving dana to the teacher for their efforts in teaching and leading the retreat is our practice and strongly encouraged. Teachers give of themselves generously and do not charge us for their support of our practice. We encourage all of us to give deeply from our heart, meeting their generosity with our own.
If you are visiting an open talk during a retreat in which you are not participating, please leave dana for the teacher in the donation box. Please give dana for the teacher by the end of the retreat.
Dana checks can be made out directly to the teacher. (Please write “dana” in the notes field.) Our custom is to pay all dana to the teacher before the teacher leaves. Dana is independent of retreat costs.
RETREAT COSTS
There is a four-tier structure for payments. Decide what is most fitting for your financial circumstances. If you can give more, this can help offset the cost of those who cannot give as much.
Contributing at either the mid or high ranges is greatly appreciated to help sustain our sangha. Any portion of your payment above $25 (per day) is tax deductible.
retreat and sesshin rates
- $40 per day – Basic Brooklyn Zen Center member level
- $60 per day – Basic non-member level
- $80 per day – Supporter level (Your additional gift helps support those with limited income)
- $25 per day – Limited-income member level
The deadline for payment is 5 days before the first day of retreat. We can refund your payment up until 7 days before retreat begins. After this we have already started buying food and supplies based on committed numbers so refunds are no longer possible.
To inquire about a scholarship for a retreat or sesshin, please fill out an application downloadable here.
If there are special circumstances that preclude you from following these policies, please don’t hesitate to speak with the BZC director. Thank you for your participation in sesshin. We deeply appreciate your support of our teachers and community. Thank you all for your continuing practice in the dharma.